Ruler t-square



S. C. McKEOWN.

RULER'T-SQUARE. APPLICATION FILED 1UNE24, 19:9.

Patented May 3, 1921.

I /4 E i mm in MM /m 1M. \JTAI mm UNITED STA'lES PATENT OFFlCEL' SAMUEL C. MGKEOWN, 03? EAST GRANGE, NEW JERSEY.

RULER T-SQ'UARE.

Application filed June 24, 1519.

State J11 new and useful improvements in Ruler "J'- Squares, of which the following is a specification.

The object of my invention is to provide a device which will serve both as a ruler or a T-square, the parts being quickly converted from one to the other, or used as a combination instrument.

It happens very frequently that one desires to draw lines at right angles with no ready means available. This is particularly true of students in school. The ordinary T-square is not easily carried in the pocket and hence is usually not available. Since my device may be quickly separated the parts thereof may be placed in ones pocket without any inconvenience and when they are desired for use the parts may be quickly assembled. The usefulness of my device will be more clearly apparent by referring to the annexed drawings, wherein- Figure 1 shows the parts in assembled position.

Fig. 2 is aside view of Fig. 1.

Fig. 3 is an end view of Fig. 1 but with slightly modified form of retaining clip.

4 is an end View of retaining clip shown in Fig. 3.

Fig. 5 is an end view of my device with a modified form of a ruler retaining device.

Fig. 6 is a plan view of the T-head adapted for use with the retaining device shown in Fig. 5, while 7 shows the use of the retaining device indicated in Fig. 5 as applied to rulers of different width.

Referring now to the details, wherein like numbers refer to corresponding parts in the various views, 1 illustrates the ruler or straight edge which is adapted to be clamped to a T-head or cross piece 2 which has a straight side 3 and a plurality of lugs 4. The lugs 4 are preferably punched from the surface of the cross piece 2 and are so constructed and arranged on the cross piece 2 as to be in a straight line at right angles to the straight side 3. The cross piece 2 is preferably formed from one piece so that it has a recessed bottom 5. Carried within Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented May 3, 1921.

Serial No. 306,402.

the recessed bottom 5 is a resilient member 6 having one end turned upward to engage referably the hole 7 punched in the surface f the cross piece 2. A slot 8 is also preferably punched in the cross piece 2 and the other end of the resilient member 6 is passed through the slot 8 and bent at 9 in the form of a clip adapted to engage the edge 10 of the ruler or straight edge 1. As shown in Figs. 3 and 4, the clip 9 is formed in such a manner as to operate in the slot 8 without getting out of alinement and has a finger 1131 to receive one end of the resilient mem- Considering Figs. 1 to 4 inclusive, it will be seen that the edge 10 of the ruler need only be hooked over the clip 9 and pressure applied to the ruler in such a way as to carry the clip 9 away from the lugs 4 so that the other edge of the ruler or straight edge 1 may drop into engagement with the lugs 4. It will be understood that the resilient member 6 is of suliicient tension so as to hold the ruler or straight edge 1 firmly against both lugs 4 which, as previously stated, are constructed and arranged on the cross piece 2 so that the edge 12 of the ruler will be held substantially at right angles to the straight side 3. It will be understood, of course, that the clip 9' may be moved back by the fingers of the operator and the ruler or straight edge 1 slipped in endwise between the lugs 4 and the clip 9. As shown in Fig. 6, the cross piece 2 has holes 13 with slots 14 leading therefrom arranged in different positions for the reception of an eccentric knob 15 which has a head 16 adapted to pass through the holes 13 and having a neck 17 to enter the slots 14. As the knob 15 is turned different portions of its eccentric surface are adapted to compensate for rulers of different widths as will be indicated in Fig. 7 If the knob 15 is not adapted to engage the ruler or straight edge properly when in one of the holes 13 it may be taken out and moved to another slot whereby it will engage the ruler or straight edge 1 in the proper manner to hold it securely in position.

While I have shown certain ways in which my invention may be carried into practice, it will be understood that certain changes and alterations may be made in the details and I therefore do not Wish to be limited to the exact details shown and described herein except as limited by the appended claims.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim is 1. In a device of the class described, a ruler or straight edge, a cross-piece having; a straight side, a flat top portion and a recessed bottom, a plurality of lugs punched upwardly from said flat top portion in a line substantially at right angles to said straight side, a slot in the flat portion in front of'and between said lugs; a clip carried in said slot and a resilient member positioned within the recessed bottom and having one end fastened to the cross-piece and the other to said clip whereby said clip is automatically drawn toward said lugs to hold the ruler or straight edge substantially at right angles to said straight side as described.

2. In a device of the class described, a ruler or straight edge, a cross-piece having; a straight side, a flat top and a recessed bottom, a plurality of lugs fastened to the fiat top in a line substantially at right angles to said straight side, a slot in said top; a flat spiral spring positioned in said recessed portion and having one end fastened to the cross-piece and the other end terminating in a clip projecting through said slot and cooperating with sa1d lugs to grip said ruler or straight. edge to form a T square as described.

In Witness whereof, I afiix my signature.

SAMUEL C. MCKEOWN. 

